Controversial Remarks on Student Fevers
In 2025, concerns were raised over the spread of fevers in government schools, with calls for the government to take immediate measures to address the situation. At the time, Minister Gummadi Sandhyarani’s reported remark, “Is the minister responsible if children develop fevers?”, drew severe criticism from various quarters.
Now, in 2026, allegations are emerging that the same issue has taken a much more tragic turn. In an incident where tablets were reportedly distributed to students in the name of preventing fevers, two children died and dozens of students were admitted to hospitals, triggering widespread criticism and raising serious questions over the government’s handling of students’ health and safety.
Questions Over Government Accountability
The incident has sparked intense debate over whether the government is fulfilling even its basic responsibility towards children’s health and safety.
Questions are being raised over why such alleged negligence is being witnessed when the lives of young children are involved. Several groups and sections of society are demanding that the Education Minister and the Minister for Tribal Welfare resign, taking responsibility for the incident.
They are also demanding that the government issue an apology to the families of the deceased children and take strict action against those responsible.
Food Safety Concerns in Government Schools and Hostels
The concerns are not limited to the recent incident involving tablets. Government schools and hostels across the state have also faced repeated allegations over food safety and the quality of meals being served to students.
There have been several reports and allegations of food poisoning incidents involving students. Criticism intensified after an incident in which a worm was reportedly found in a plate served to the Home Minister during a visit to a BC hostel.
There have also been allegations that students are being served poor-quality and rotten eggs, raising further concerns about the monitoring of food supplied in government-run educational institutions and hostels.
Drinking Water and Health Issues in Tribal Schools
The situation is reportedly even more concerning in schools located in tribal areas. Several allegations have surfaced that students lack adequate access to safe drinking water, leaving them vulnerable to frequent illnesses.
There have also been instances in which students reportedly suffered from illnesses such as diarrhoea, with some incidents allegedly resulting in deaths.
Such incidents have raised concerns over whether adequate basic facilities, hygiene standards and health protections are being ensured for students, particularly in schools located in remote and tribal regions.
Growing Questions Over the Education Department
Taken together, the allegations surrounding student health, food safety, drinking water and basic infrastructure have led several organisations to accuse the government of neglecting the welfare and safety of students in the public education system.
Several groups have alleged that the level of negligence being witnessed in matters concerning children’s lives is unprecedented and that the situation reflects not only a failure of governance but also raises serious questions about the functioning and accountability of the Education Department.
With concerns continuing to mount, there are growing demands for the government to take responsibility, conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents, ensure accountability and take concrete measures to prevent such incidents from recurring.
